Diabetes Specialist

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, commonly called diabetes, is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that affect how your body utilizes blood sugar (glucose). Since glucose is the primary fuel source for all cells in your body, including your brain cells, having diabetes can limit your cells’ ability to get adequate fuel to function properly. 

The cause of diabetes depends on which type you have, but below are descriptions of some of the most common types of diabetes and their causes.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, nicknamed juvenile diabetes, is often inherited and develops in childhood. This type of diabetes means that your pancreas doesn’t produce insulin, which is a hormone needed for glucose absorption. In some cases, it’s possible to develop type 1 diabetes later in life due to a bacterial or viral infection that affects your pancreas. 

Type 2 diabetes

When you have type 2 diabetes, which often develops in adulthood after age 40, your pancreas may produce insulin. But you might not have enough insulin, or your body becomes resistant to the insulin you have. In many cases, type 2 diabetes stems from being overweight or obese, especially if this condition runs in your family. 

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a temporary type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. With gestational diabetes, the hormones you produce start making your cells more resistant to insulin. 

Being overweight before your pregnancy occurs can increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes. While gestational diabetes can resolve after pregnancy, it may put you at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Does diabetes cause symptoms?

Yes, although the symptoms you experience with diabetes aren’t always obvious. Early stages of diabetes, known as prediabetes, as well as type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, can lead to any of the following issues.

• Increased thirst and extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Slow-healing wounds 
• Fatigue and irritability
• Frequent urination

You may also find that you’re more prone to infections when you have diabetes. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it might be a sign that your diabetes is poorly managed or that you could be developing diabetes.

How is diabetes treated?

Your diabetes treatment plan from the team at Associated Physicians Group, PLC combines medical treatments with personalized lifestyle changes to help improve your wellness and prevent diabetes-related complications (like serious foot ulcers). After conducting a physical exam and running any essential laboratory testing, your doctor can:

• Get you started on an exercise plan
• Counsel you on proper diet and when to eat
• Teach you how to monitor your blood sugar
• Prescribe personalized insulin injection plans
• Prescribe medications to stimulate insulin production
• Help you prevent type 2 diabetes if you have prediabetes

The team at Associated Physicians Group, PLC is diligent about ensuring your diabetes management plan is working for you and has you check in regularly to monitor your progress. 

To learn more about diabetes management, call Associated Physicians Group, PLC today.